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Uggla homers, drives in three runs vs. Astros

Wood throws five scoreless innings in rain-shortened victory for Braves

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Dan Uggla hit a solo shot in the second inning on Monday against the Astros.

By Brian McTaggart
/
MLB.com |

KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Dan Uggla hit his third home run of Spring Training in the second inning Monday afternoon and added a two-run triple an inning later to lead the Braves to a 4-0 rain-shortened win over the Astros in five innings at Osceola County Stadium.

Uggla homered to left field against Darin Downs, who started the game and threw his scheduled two innings. The Braves scored three times in the third against left-hander Kevin Chapman, capped by Uggla's two-run triple to right field.

Chapman, a candidate to close games this year, had not allowed a run in his first four Spring Training appearances.

Downs, who is a reliever, got the start for the Astros after the club decided to throw Brett Oberholtzer in a Minor League game earlier in the day to avoid pending rain showers. The Astros followed Downs with a steady diet of relievers.

Left-hander Alex Wood started for the Braves and threw five scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He's yet to allow an earned run in four starts.

Up next: After taking advantage of Tuesday's off-day, the Braves will host the Yankees on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET (listen on Gameday Audio). David Hale will be facing a Yankees lineup that is expected to include Brian McCann, who has not played at Disney since leaving the Braves via free agency in November. Hale is expected to be part of the four-man rotation the Braves plan to use during the regular season's first two weeks.